Pakistan Elected as WAIPA Regional Director for South Asia at World Investment Conference 2025

Ashraf Ali

Dubai: Pakistan’s Board of Investment (BOI) has been unanimously elected as the Regional Director for South Asia of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) for the 2025–2027 term. The election took place during the 29th World Investment Conference (WIC) in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Representing Pakistan at the WAIPA General Assembly, Federal Minister for Investment and BOI Chairman, Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to fostering global collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing among investment promotion agencies (IPAs). He emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to promoting sustainable investment and economic diversification in the region.

The World Investment Conference 2025, organized by WAIPA in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Investment, has drawn leaders from more than 140 countries to discuss the future of investment promotion in an era of digital transformation.

This prestigious regional directorship will enable Pakistan to strengthen its investment promotion initiatives, build partnerships across South Asia, and attract higher levels of foreign direct investment (FDI).

On the sidelines of the event, Ali Zeb Khan, Trade & Investment Counsellor at the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai, facilitated several key bilateral meetings for Minister Shaikh. These included discussions with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), and the Pakistan Business Council Sharjah to enhance economic cooperation and explore new investment avenues.

Minister Shaikh also met H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq, both of whom graced the event’s opening ceremony. The session was also attended by Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, and senior UAE officials.

The 8th Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2025) was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi in the presence of Sheikha Bodour, marking another milestone in the UAE’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a global investment hub.